SECRET SPAIN
Within easy reach of Madrid, there are mountains, plains, steppe lakes and forest which are home to a fantastic diversity of wildlife and birds. Spanish Imperial Eagles, Great Bustards, Black Storks, Bluethroats, Dupont’s Larks, Western Orphean Warblers, Bonelli’s Eagles, Black Vultures and many more of Europe’s rarest birds can be watched in this unspoilt landscape, just a two hour flight from the UK.
We shall spend four nights in the historic town of Zamora, visiting the plains of Villafafila, with its huge population of Great Bustards. There are good populations of Montagu’s Harriers and Lesser Kestrels too, all taking advantage of the more traditional land uses which allow wildlife to thrive. On the lakes, a multitude of wetland birds include Gull-billed Terns, Avocets and various passage waders. A short drive east takes us to the Portuguese border and the valley of the Duero River. Here, amid dramatic gorges, we shall look for nesting Bonelli’s Eagles and Black Storks.
We shall then transfer to the Sierra de Gredos for the remaining three nights. We shall spend a day searching for Bluethroats, Ortolan Buntings, Rock Thrush and Citril Finch, as well as Spanish Ibex. We shall also visit Monfrague National Park, one of Spain’s premier raptor breeding areas, where we can hope to watch Spanish Imperial Eagle and Black Vulture at the nest, as well as a host of other species including Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Eagle Owl and maybe even White-rumped Swift.
Having arrived at Madrid we will make the two hour drive to Zamora, our base for the first four nights.
One day will be spent visiting the open plains around Villafafila. This area has one of the largest concentrations of Great Bustards in the world. A scan from almost any fixed point produces sightings of up to fifty Great Bustards; many are displaying males. Other steppic species include Lesser Kestrel (which are benefiting from an extensive nest-box programme), Montagu’s Harrier, White Stork, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Quail, Stone Curlew, Calandra Lark, Hoopoe, Short-eared Owl, Tawny Pipit, Southern Grey Shrike, Black-eared Wheatear and Rock Sparrow. There are small numbers of Little Bustards in the area too, but they can be difficult to find.
Huge steppe lakes at Villafafila offer spectacular birding. We visit at the optimum time of year, with high water levels and abundant birdlife. There are hundreds of Black-winged Stilts and Avocets, plus smaller numbers of Little Grebe, Gadwall, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Gull-billed Tern and Whiskered Tern.
Our second full day will be spent visiting the upper reaches of the Rio Duero. The Duero forms the border between Portugal and Spain and is quite remote. Spectacular river cliffs and gorges are home to breeding Black Storks as well as a suite of raptors including Egyptian Vulture, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Peregrine and numerous Griffon Vultures. Thekla Lark is common, as is Rock Bunting, Subalpine Warbler, Spotless Starling, Blue Rock Thrush, Red-rumped Swallow and Crag Martin. We have also seen Western Orphean Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Hawfinch, Great Spotted Cuckoo and Black-eared Wheatear here.
On an early morning excursion we will try to see the elusive Dupont’s Lark. They are infamous for only singing during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, and their terrestrial habits make them very difficult to see. However, at a site we discovered in 2006 it is possible to get good views. Even if we only hear them, they have a wonderful song and the habitat of hillsides covered in lavender and dwarf broom is beautiful in its own right.
On one day we will search Holm Oak woods for Azure-winged Magpies, and a reed-fringed lake for Great Reed Warblers, Bee-eaters, Golden Orioles and Melodious Warblers. An evening stroll near our hotel should yield Scops Owl and perhaps even a few Long-eared Owls.
On day five we will drive south into the Sierra de Gredos, for a stay of three nights.
The Sierra de Gredos is a magnificent mountainous area just west of Madrid. Here, we will search out Bluethroats in the stunted junipers and Ortolan in the broom at lower elevations. The Bluethroats are quite interesting, in that most have no white spot on the throat. There are other differences to the typical form in Central Europe and we believe that in time the scientific world will afford these birds their own race.
We will stay at a hotel high in the mountains, offering wonderful views. Citril Finches can be found in nearby open woodland. Three nights will give us a good chance of other specialities of the area such as Scops Owl, European Nightjar, Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Crossbill, Dartford Warbler, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Crested Tit and the Iberian forms of Pied Flycatcher and Green Woodpecker. This is also one of the best places for seeing Spanish Ibex.
The hills and valleys of Monfrague offer what will be, for some, the highlight of the trip. Not only will we see birds of prey at very close range, but we will see them amongst beautiful scenery. We will watch a Spanish Imperial Eagle eyrie which should have young at the time of our visit. The rare Black Vulture can be seen nesting in trees on a hillside and the adults regularly appear close to our viewpoint. In recent years we have even seen Eagle Owls at their cliff-side nest.
Peregrine, Short-toed, Booted and Bonelli's Eagles are all regularly seen and there is the chance of adding Golden Eagle to complete the set. Black Wheatears share the rocky terrain with Blue Rock Thrush and Black Redstart.
Breakfast will be taken at about 7.30am most mornings. We are fortunate that, at this time of year, it doesn't get light until after 7am. Enjoying the early morning doesn't, therefore, involve missing too much sleep! In order to look for Dupont’s Lark, we will have to leave the hotel at 6am and return for breakfast at 8:30am. This is, of course, optional, but highly recommended. Basic fitness is all that is required. Full days will be spent in the field and short/medium length walks on the flat will be undertaken. There will be a little uphill walking in the Sierra de Gredos, but this will be at a sensible pace and is, as always, optional.
Full-board accommodation is provided, with four nights at the Hotel AC Zamora, followed by three nights at the Almanzor, in the Sierra de Gredos. All rooms have en suite bathrooms. Packed lunches will be taken every day.
PRICE INCLUDES …..
All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, return flights, local transport by mini-bus and airport taxes.
Our optional travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry.
Return flight from London Heathrow to Madrid using the scheduled services of British Airways. Outbound flight departs mid-morning, return flight arrives back mid-afternoon. Shuttle flights are available on this tour for £70 return (due at time of booking), from Manchester and other regional airports.
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7 nights:
Principal leader:
Maximum group size:
Cost with discount (if you book before 20th February 2008):
Full Cost:
Single supplement:
Deposit:
Insurance premium:
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17th to 24th May 2008
Paul J. Willoughby
7 clients with one leader or 13 clients with two leaders
£1190 per person sharing
£1290 per person sharing
£120
£200
£26 due at time of booking (£39 for age 65 to 69) (£52 for age 70 and over)
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